Topic: Rugby League

[WEST HAM PAUL]

Thanks mate, interesting break down.

Shows that the Wallabies probably punch above their weight as well given they do t have the same resources available.

Until spending considerable time nearly 5 years here now I never realised how much Rugby Union is a minority sport here
In fact Australia do punch above their weight which I never thought I’d say lol

Union is like League in England

Here in Northern Territory  it’s quite mixed AFL & NRL support. AFL maybe just shades it

Sport is generally dominated on TV by NRL & AFL with Cricket thrown in when a series is on

[WEST HAM PAUL]

The British game is boring & predictable with defences too organised & set.

Watch games from the first decade of Super League and you see multiple line breaks and exciting, fast play because the RFL cracked down on players being allowed to slow the play-the-ball. As a result, defences were frequently not set in a regimented line and players could exploit that (Cunningham and Roby at Saints were brilliant for spotting a disorganised defence, then scooting into that space from dummy half, creating more disorganisation, so on the next tackle Saints would very often break a ragged defensive line and frequently score)

In 2008/2009, the authorities declared that more latitude would be given to defenders to clear the tackle. Some coaches began to take this to the extremes - Brown at Huddersfield, then Maguire at Wigan who introduced 'the wrestle' to extend the time the tackle seemed to be in progress and get the tackled player on their back to slow them getting to their feet even more - 'turtling' - followed by defenders timing their 'flop' onto a player being tackled to be just before the ref says 'held' then the 3/4 tackling players peel off one at a time. As that proved successful, more coaches followed and developed further techniques. The result is that with almost every play the ball, the defence is set. Then you have defending teams rotating the duty of rushing at the first receiver as soon as the ball is played, so they have no time to do anything but accept the tackle.

Abolishing the scrums and bringing in the 6-again (both temporary measures due to Covid) have made it worse. Then you have Warrington who, whenever an opposition player does make a break and Warrington's defence near their own line is in disarray, one of their players - usually that whingeing lump Chris Hill - will lie on the floor holding their head so the ref stops the game whilst the physio/doc runs on. By the time play restarts, the Warrington defenders are recovered, got some air in their lungs, and fully organised. Threat averted... by cheating.

The British game is going backwards.

Interesting

I grew up 80’s & 90’s enjoying Rugby League but recent years struggled to get into it
I don’t know enough about the tactics & nuances of the game but just found it became to monotonous you didn’t see so much the great tries by Offiah or Lydon etc

[Black Bull Nova]

Until spending considerable time nearly 5 years here now I never realised how much Rugby Union is a minority sport here
In fact Australia do punch above their weight which I never thought I’d say lol

Union is like League in England

Here in Northern Territory  it’s quite mixed AFL & NRL support. AFL maybe just shades it

Sport is generally dominated on TV by NRL & AFL with Cricket thrown in when a series is on

I was reading about Northern Territory yesterday, apparently it's easier to die there than most of the rest of Australia, roads, jellyfish and crocodiles just as examples. Sounds interesting, all I asked was why are there so few people in Darwen?  250k people in the whole of Northern territory it says.

[WEST HAM PAUL]

I was reading about Northern Territory yesterday, apparently it's easier to die there than most of the rest of Australia, roads, jellyfish and crocodiles just as examples. Sounds interesting, all I asked was why are there so few people in Darwen?  250k people in the whole of Northern territory it says.

Roads yes

Driving is horrendous at times here . Despite empty roads some seriously bad not needed decisions
Fatigue for long distances
Plus shit loads of drink driving

[Nobby Reserve]

Worst Wigan side in decades

Think the 2006 side takes that accolade 

Only avoided relegation through cheating the salary cap. And that undid Agent Millward's sterling work.

The Wigan pack is woeful.

That they finished 4th is an indictment on the quality of Super League.

Hilarious about Warrington (their year next year...?) - and made up for Hull KR, one of the few sides who try to play flowing rugby

[Black Bull Nova]

Think the 2006 side takes that accolade 

Only avoided relegation through cheating the salary cap. And that undid Agent Millward's sterling work.

The Wigan pack is woeful.

That they finished 4th is an indictment on the quality of Super League.

Hilarious about Warrington (their year next year...?) - and made up for Hull KR, one of the few sides who try to play flowing rugby

Agreed but then Man Utd finished second in the PL, what does that say? 

Please for HKR, should be a decent game against Catalans and Hull have nothing to lose being it is expected as their last game this season

[Red Cactii]

I was reading about Northern Territory yesterday, apparently it's easier to die there than most of the rest of Australia, roads, jellyfish and crocodiles just as examples. Sounds interesting, all I asked was why are there so few people in Darwen?  250k people in the whole of Northern territory it says.

Most of our population live on the Eastern Seaboard with 50% living in either Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne and you’ve also got a bunch of regional centres like Gold Coast, Canberra and Newcastle that also have considerable populations. I guess the original reason why Darwin and the NT wasn’t as densely populated was because British settlement took place on the East Coast hence the population growth. Not to mention, the climate on the Eastern Seaboard is generally a lot more tolerable unless living in a heavily humid place is your go.

[JC the Messiah]

Storm v Panthers (1st v 2nd) from earlier this morning (last night to them)

https://www.nrl.com/tv/news/match-highlights-storm-v-panthers-1270922/

This is why people wanted it to be the final

Brilliant game. Amazing rugby league from star to finish. The antithesis of the Wigan v Leeds game!

[Statto Red]

Most of our population live on the Eastern Seaboard with 50% living in either Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne and you’ve also got a bunch of regional centres like Gold Coast, Canberra and Newcastle that also have considerable populations. I guess the original reason why Darwin and the NT wasn’t as densely populated was because British settlement took place on the East Coast hence the population growth. Not to mention, the climate on the Eastern Seaboard is generally a lot more tolerable unless living in a heavily humid place is your go.

Plus Darwin is quite remote from the rest of Australia too, over 1,000k to the nearest town, as well as Darwin being in the tropics only has 2 season [wet & dry] with high humidity to go with it, only Perth is even remoter than Darwin from the rest of Aus.

[Black Bull Nova]

Plus Darwin is quite remote from the rest of Australia too, over 1,000k to the nearest town, as well as Darwin being in the tropics only has 2 season [wet & dry] with high humidity to go with it, only Perth is even remoter than Darwin from the rest of Aus.

Stockbridge Village sometime feels a little remote and unconnected, I don't suppose it is is it?

[Black Bull Nova]

So,

Catalans v Hull KR              Thursday (SF)

Saints v Leeds             Friday (SF)

Penrith Panthers (from West Sydney) v South Sydney Rabbitohs            Sunday (final)

Luckily enough, with international week, there will be something to watch on the Saturday, a Grand Final, hopefully with Saints in it again.

If it's Saints v Catalans I would not wish to call it right now, work to do for both first.

[Samie]

South Sydney were shite for a few years, I see they're back near the top again.

[JC the Messiah]

South Sydney were shite for a few years, I see they're back near the top again.

They're without arguably their best player as well, Latrell Mitchell.

But anyway, if Penrith play like they did in the semi, they'll be too good. Play like they did in the couple of previous games, and it's wide open.

[Black Bull Nova]

Semi finals a little one sided but that sets up next Saturday's evening's final fantastically well, too close to call I'd say

6pm Saturday October 9th Old Trafford

Tickets from £15 for Juniors, £22.5 for seniors and £30 for adults upwards (or Sky)

https://www.superleague.co.uk/tickets/grand-final

And/or you can watch Andorra v England at 7.45pm

I know which one I want to watch

Penrith V South Sydney 9.30 am tomorrow (Sunday, Sky), highlights available later in the day

https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2021/grand-final/game-1/

[liversaint]

Completely dominant from Saints last night from first to last. Tony Bellew is apparently a Saints fan as well.

Think Morgan Knowles will have a sleepless night waiting on the disciplinary after his yellow also.

Everyone else in RL now Catalonian for the day.

[Statto Red]

Semi finals a little one sided but that sets up next Saturday's evening's final fantastically well, too close to call I'd say

6pm Saturday October 9th Old Trafford

Tickets from £15 for Juniors, £22.5 for seniors and £30 for adults upwards (or Sky)

https://www.superleague.co.uk/tickets/grand-final

And/or you can watch Andorra v England at 7.45pm

I know which one I want to watch

Penrith V South Sydney 9.30 am tomorrow (saturday, Sky), highlights available later in the day

https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2021/grand-final/game-1/

This is one area were RL has it spot on & that's ticket prices for the major RL events aren't a rip off like other sports, £30-£40 for a grand final, with £85 for the most expensive ticket, minus hospitality tickets, is a bargain for a final. Ticket prices were similar for the recent challenge cup final at Wembley too.

Annoyingly i won't be going as i'm of to the NFL at Tottenham Stadium, although i'm going to the Jags game in 2 weeks i won't have the money to go to both

[Black Bull Nova]

NRL final

https://www.nrl.com/tv/matches/?competition=111&round=29&season=2021&subType=Match+Highlight

Wow

Watch without the score

[Spanish Al]

Completely dominant from Saints last night from first to last. Tony Bellew is apparently a Saints fan as well.

Think Morgan Knowles will have a sleepless night waiting on the disciplinary after his yellow also.

Everyone else in RL now Catalonian for the day.

Saints must be fucking horrible to play against. They press and defend like I would imagine Klopp would coach a rugby league team, right in your faces defending from the front. They’re a bit like us when we won the league in the sense that they just grind you down mentally and physically, leading to silly mistakes which they then punish. Fans of other clubs always say to me players turn to shit against you and do stupid things and that we aren’t that good but it’s because we grind teams down and they do those stupid things.

Been a joy watching saints the last few seasons, hopefully we can make it three in a row.

[Crosby Nick]

NRL final

https://www.nrl.com/tv/matches/?competition=111&round=29&season=2021&subType=Match+Highlight

Wow

Watch without the score

Good to watch without knowing the score although the thumbnail images don’t help!

[Black Bull Nova]

Good to watch without knowing the score although the thumbnail images don’t help!

I watch on a laptop, were you watching on a phone?

[Nobby Reserve]

Saints must be fucking horrible to play against. They press and defend like I would imagine Klopp would coach a rugby league team, right in your faces defending from the front. They’re a bit like us when we won the league in the sense that they just grind you down mentally and physically, leading to silly mistakes which they then punish. Fans of other clubs always say to me players turn to shit against you and do stupid things and that we aren’t that good but it’s because we grind teams down and they do those stupid things.

Been a joy watching saints the last few seasons, hopefully we can make it three in a row.

Woolf has certainly got Saints defending on another level. I think for last season and much of this, we looked pretty uninspiring with ball in hand, very methodical and conservative. The odd spark of entertaining rugby, but generally an 'arm wrestle' approach.

Since young Dodd has come in at 7, we've looked a different team from an attacking perspective - especially when Welsby has partnered him.

Two halfbacks, aged 19 & 20, looking like top, top talents, and dominating games. Superb stuff.

That's just part of a wider programme of bringing players through from the Academy. We'll likely have 7 of the starting 13 on Saturday who've fully come through the ranks, plus Walmsley and Batchelor who we signed as young and unproven players from lower-league, part-time clubs.

[Red Cactii]

Plus Darwin is quite remote from the rest of Australia too, over 1,000k to the nearest town, as well as Darwin being in the tropics only has 2 season [wet & dry] with high humidity to go with it, only Perth is even remoter than Darwin from the rest of Aus.

Never ceases to amuse me when (usually European) tourists (back when they were allowed in) would talk about how they’re going to drive from Melbourne to Sydney to Brisbane to Darwin like it can be done in a day

South Sydney were shite for a few years, I see they're back near the top again.

Last four seasons they’ve made at least the preliminary finals and this year went one step closer by making the Grand Final. Likely regression on the way given the captain and coach are on their way out plus a few other starting players. Penrith will be very hard to beat next year given they barely lose anyone whereas Melbourne and Souths lose a few key players. Guess it’s how it should be when most of Penrith’s squad have come through their junior pathways. It does help that they have a large catchment area but they’ve put the work in off the field to build their junior programs and now it’s starting to pay off.

[Crosby Nick]

Never ceases to amuse me when (usually European) tourists (back when they were allowed in) would talk about how they’re going to drive from Melbourne to Sydney to Brisbane to Darwin like it can be done in a day

Last four seasons they’ve made at least the preliminary finals and this year went one step closer by making the Grand Final. Likely regression on the way given the captain and coach are on their way out plus a few other starting players. Penrith will be very hard to beat next year given they barely lose anyone whereas Melbourne and Souths lose a few key players. Guess it’s how it should be when most of Penrith’s squad have come through their junior pathways. It does help that they have a large catchment area but they’ve put the work in off the field to build their junior programs and now it’s starting to pay off.

I still amuse myself with the fact I was stupid enough to take a coach from Alice Springs to Townsville in one hit. Figured there wasn’t much to see in between so I might as well just get there!

[Black Bull Nova]

So remember, if you watch the grand final at 6pm (sky streams are available), you'll probably miss the first 15 minutes of Andorra v England, so there's an incentive

Should be a good game, well balanced, two good teams.

[sinnermichael]

Well in Saints.

[tinner777]

3 in a row, well done Saints

[Samie]

Now to take the regular beating these days off the NRL champions. 

[Black Bull Nova]

So 14-12 in the NRL final and 12-10 in the Grand final, I love tight games even it if does raise the stress levels.

Great game, great teams, great winners

[Nobby Reserve]

Saints women have won the Women's Super League Grand Final, too.

That's both the men's and women's teams as Challenge Cup and Super League champions.

A double-double.

It's a unique and pretty amazing achievement.

[Statto Red]

Featherstone are getting there arses kicked at the mo, losing 16-0 at halftime against Toulouse, winners play in super league next season  it's live on sky sports arena

[Samie]

Would love to do a Toulouse & Catalans Rugby pilgrimage one day.  South of France in late spring would be nice lads. 

[Statto Red]

Toulose won 34-12 & are promoted to super league

[Black Bull Nova]

Rugby League possibly suffers more prejudice in France than it does in this country.

If you look at the coverage in newspapers you see 8 pages of RU sometimes and then filtered in is a single article, never full page, for RL, even if it's the grand final or the CL. Crowds for club games used to be comparable but union is probably ahead now, albeit not by much and, of course, the crowds that follow union tend to have more money (and more influence, especially in terms of high profile sponsorship) given the prominence of the game in the public school system. The days of lifetime bans for anyone playing league are gone but the north south divide is still real.

In France it's different, the main areas for league and union are far closer in terms of geography but union, yet again, holds more sway in the establishment. The rivalry goes back to Vichy France and the Nazis so you can imagine the vitriol is likely to be higher with the die hards as well. Apparently it's hard to find RL on TV over there because the Union establishment block it nationally, and top RL (ie those below Catalan and Tolouse) do get decent crowds, although, having TV coverage strangled is a factor in this. Let's see how a proper big local french derby in Rugby League changes things, if at all.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forbidden-Game-Untold-French-League/dp/1901347052

[Samie]

England v France in Men's and Women's double header.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58891997

International rugby league will return to BBC television screens with England men's and women's teams featuring in a double-header against France.

The two matches, played back-to-back at Perpignan's Stade Gilbert Brutus on 23 October, will be shown live on BBC One and BBC Two respectively.

[Statto Red]

International RL is garbage & has been for years, which is sad in a way.

[Black Bull Nova]

International RL is garbage & has been for years, which is sad in a way.

Having said that the England v NZ semi final in 2013 was wonderful partly because of the finish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIUVpOtsUy8

but also because it included the best pass in the history of rugby (either code)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjhDmIeTiY

as was the England v Tonga semi in 2017

Where the end of the game was just stunning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUJxUGatDb4


So, not all bad

[Samie]

Anyone else watching the RL Test match against France on BBC 1?

England up 20-0 with 8 debutants.


FT- France 10-30 England

[Samie]

Here's a stat for you and shows the shite that International Rugby League is.

After today we play one more game (which is a warm up) next summer before we go into a World Cup.   

[Black Bull Nova]

Here's a stat for you and shows the shite that International Rugby League is.

After today we play one more game (which is a warm up) next summer before we go into a World Cup.   

I tend to agree with your sentiment but then I'd love international football to be like that

[12C]

I see the World Cup is now back on for next year but all the finals are to be in Manchester now.
BBC NW got loads of people crowing about how great it is that “all the finals are now in Manchester”
I can only assume the Liverpool arena is booked up. But again we get shafted. I still SMT get over the fact we were part of their Commonwealth bid with the cycling velodrome to be built here, and once they got the bid, they fucked Liverpool off.